Control apparatus



H. H. JOHNSTON. CONTROL APPARATUS.

APPLECATION FILED DEC.9, 1916. v f 1 381,31 2. Patented June 14, 1921;.

2 SHEETS- SHEEI INVENTOR M ATTORNEY H. H. JOHNSTON.

CONTROL APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED Dec. 9, 191's. I 1,381,312.- Patented June 14, 1921.

iNVENTOR ATTORNEY UNITED STATES .SYLVANIA. 1

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, Ho-wAnD H; J o rIsToN,

a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of Edgewood Park, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new anduseful Improvement in Control Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

and especially known drum type.

One object ofmy invention is to provide an auxiliary switching device of a relatively compact dial type for attachment to the end surfaces of drum controllers for the purpose of completing certain auxiliary circuits under predeterm ned conditions, such as interlocking circuits fora line switch and v door operated contact members.

More specifically stated, it is the object of my invention to provide a relatively compact and simply constructed set of stationary" and movable contact members for ready attachment-to the end faces ofthe present type of control drums, such" cont-act members ex tending substantially"parallel to the end faces ofth'e drum.

Other objects of imy-invention, such as electrical'separation from the main currentcarrying parts and the use of available space above or beneath a control drum to the best possible advantage, will appear from' utilizing the'form of my invention that is shown in Fig. 1 and F ig. 2.

Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig.2, the structure shown comprises a master controller 49 having the customary operating shaft 50 journaledin a bearing 51, cirCunife'rentiallyarranged contactsegments 52 and coeperating stationary control fingers 53; and my auxiliary switching attachment 54.

The device 54 comprises a cap member 55 of insulating'material'that is of substantially the same diameter asthe control drum I provided between the v as'viewed in Fig. 2, is preven members '59 and 61.

PATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD H. JOHNSTON, OF EDGEWOOI) PARK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNQR TO HIST. INGHOUSE ELECTRIC & MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENN- CONTROL APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J n 14 1921 Application filed DecemberB, 1916. Serial No. 136,081.

49 and is detachably secured to thebearing 51 by means of suitable screws 56, for ex- A cylindrical internal recess 55 is cap member 55 and.

ample.

the end surface of the bearing 51, for a pur-. pose to be described.

A stationary contact member or plate 57 isembedded in theffioor V V of the recess'55 My invention relates to control apparatus to controllers of the wen-.

near the periphery thereof, and a suitable external connecting member or "contact terminal 58 is secured to the of p111 or stop members 59 set forth later. A further pin or stop member 61 is located in approximately radial ahnement with the stop member 59, and,

when a movable control finger or contact spring 62 occupies the illustrated position, making engagement with the stationary contact plate further movement of the control finger in a counter clock-wise direction,

ted by the stop The remaining stop member 60 is adapted to be engaged by the control finger 62when.

the control drum is moved from the illusl I trated position in a clock-wise direction, as indicated by the dotted-line figure that engages the stop member 60.

The inner end of the control finger 62 is rigidlysecured to a collar member 63 which] loosely rotatably movesaround a screw or bolt 64 that extends upwardly into'the central portion of the end of'the drum shaft 50. The head of thebolt 64 may conveniently be located withinfan aperture65 of the cap member 55 for the purpose of econo mizing in verticalspace requirements. A

helical spring member 66 is wound around the screw 64 and has its upper and lower ends respectivelysecured to the collar 63 and to a second collar or washer 67 that rests upon the head of thes'crew 64'. Consequently a rotative movement of the drum shaft 50 effects a corresponding movement of the control finger 62 except when the finger strikes theone or the other of the stationary stop members 59 and 60, whereupon further actuation of the control-drum shaft merely produces yielding rotative movement of the control-finger parts, that is to say, the helical spring 66 is merely extended or compressed while the control finger re mains in engagement with the corresponding stop member. I

The auxiliary control system shown in Fig. 8 comprises suitable supply-circuitconductors respectively marked Trolley and Ground; the master controller a9; and a control resistor 20 of a familiar type for rc ducing the operating voltage applied to the actuating coil of a line switch LS, which is adapted to connect the supply circuit tov one or more motors, such as the illustrated motor having an armature l; and. a field winning F of the series type, in accordance with the usual practice; and a variable main circuit resistor 90.

Assuming that it is desired to effect acceleration of the motor, the master controller 49 may be actuated to its initial operative position a, as illustrated, whereupon an auxiliary circuit is established from the trolley through a switch 70 and the control resistor 20 to the negative supply-circuit conductor Ground.

A low-voltage auxiliary circuit is thereby completed from an intermediate tap 71 of the control resistor through conductors 7 2 and 7 3, control fingers 74 and 7 5, which are bric'lg'ed by contact segment 76 of the master controller, conductors 77 and 78, the actuating coil 27 of the line switch, conductor 79, stationary and movable contact members 57 and 62, respectively, of the auxiliary switching attachment 54: and thence, through the screw 64 and the shaft 50, toground.

The closure of the switch LS established a holding circuit for the actuating coil thereof from the conductor 72 through conductor 80, stationary contact members 36 and 37, which are bridged by the interlock 38 in the closed position of the switch, and conductor 81 to the conductor 78, whereby the contact members of the master controller 50 are short-circuited to thus maintain the energization of the line actuating coil, irrespective ofsubsequent forward movement of the control drum.

The closure of the line switch also completes the main circuit from the trolley through switch 7 O, conductor 85, stationary contact members 34 and 35, which are bridged by movable contact member 33 of the line switch, conductor 89, the variable resistor 90, conductor 91, the armature A and the field winding F to ground.

Asthe master controller 49 is actuated through its subsequent positions Z), etc., the control finger 62 maintains engagement with the stationary contact plate 57 by reason of the above-described yielding rotative attachment of the control finger to the drum shaft 50.

Upon a backward movement of the master controller, however, the control finger 62 is carried in a clock-wise direction as far as the stop member (30, that is, a dlstance corresponding to one controller step, as

illustrated by the dotted lines in Fig. 2, to thereby interrupt the circuit of the. lineswitch actuating coil and thus positively and immediately open the main motor circuit. The control finger 62 remains in the illustrated dotted-line position during the remaining backward controller movement and until the controller is again moved forwardly from the normal or off position to the illustrated initial operative position a, whereupon the control finger is carried with the drum shaft 50 in a counter-clockwise direction to the position illustratedby the full lines in Fig. 2, wherein the stop member 59 prevents further forward movement of the control finger.

The preferred circuit arrangement is such that, after the above-mentioned initial backward controller movement, the reconnection of the motor to the supply circuit is prevented until the controller occupies its initial operative position a. This result is accomplished by effecting disengagement of the control finger from the contact segment 76 of the master controller when the initial operative position a. is passed. Consequently, upon backward movement of the controller and the resultant interruption of the auxiliary actuating-coil circuit by the auxiliary switching attachment 54, the line switch cannot again be closed until the master controller 49 is returned to, and held in, its initial operative. position w, whereby the control finger 75 again engages the contact segment 76 to complete the above-described initial energizing circuit of the line-switch actuating coil.

It will be observed that the auxiliary switching attachment just described is relatively compact and simple in construction and embodies a relatively small number of expensive parts, and, moreover. the entire attachment is included within the space de fined by the cylindrical outer surfaces of the control drum 4:9, and presents a neat and smooth appearance, since all parts are fully inclosed and protected.

Furthermore, both the stationary and th cooperating movable contact members extend in a substantially parallel direction to the end surface of the control drum, whereby a relatively compact structure is provided, and the most effective use of the available space is made. a

As illustrated in Fig. 1, the preferred arrangement of the auxiliary switching arrangement' contact members 57 and 62 and the circumferentially-arranged main contact members 52 and 53 of the control drum: is such that engagement of the auxiliary switching contact members is effected before the engagement of the main contact members and, furthermore, the initial back ward movement of the control drum causes the auxiliary switching contact members to separate beforethe engagement of themain contact members 52"and 53 is mterrupted.

Thus, all arcing isremoved from the contact members of my auxiliary switching attachment, since the governed circuits are always made and broken by the-main contact meme stop members '59 and 60 may be varied in accordance with the I desired number of notches or steps that the controller is to be i moved before-the restrained sliding movetail in connection withFig. 4and Fig. 5. a

ment of the control finger'62 is effected, and

no further descriptionof such modified are. rangement is believed to be necessary.

One ofthepreferred uses of-the above described attachment isin. connection with,

door-operated interlock l'devices, whereby: a car or train cannot be started-into operation until all or any predetermined number, of" the car or train doors are closed, in '.accord-. I ancewith a familiar custom. The control: finger 62 and the" contact plate'57' are adapt:-

ed to make contact,:as illustrated, when the controller drum49 occupies its-lnitialoperative position, asabout to-be traced'in de- Gonsequently, after a train has been brought to. a. stand-still, the operator may actuate his controller to itsv initial operative position, as illustrated in the figures, and as soon as all, or a predetermined number of, car doors have been closed, the car: ortrain will immediately begin to accelerate;

Such a system; is illustrated comprises suitable supply-circuit conductors respectively marked Trolley and Ground; the master controller 49;, a control resistor 20, line switch LS, which is adapted to connect the supply circuit to one or more mo-' tors, in accordance with the usual practice and as more fully illustrated in Fig. 3; a plurality of interlocking devices 29 and 30 of a familiar type that are actuated by the respective doors of a car or train; and my auxiliary switching attachment 54.

Inasmuch as the above-mentioned door-operated interlocks are familiar to those skilled in the art, no further illustration or description of the location thereof is believed to be necessary for a thorough comprehension'of my invention.

Assuming that the car or train carrying the illustrated apparatus has been braked to a stand-still and that the operator has actuated the master controller 49 to its initial operative position a, as soon as the dooroperated interlocks 29 and 30 have assumed the illustrated positions, thereby indicating in a simple manner in Fig. 4,'where1n the system shown that the various corresponding car'doors' have closed, a circuit is established from the trolley through conductor 21, control fingers 53, which are bridged-by certain contact segments 52 of the control drum 49, and the controlresistor 20 to the negative supplycircuit conductor Ground. 1

A further circuit of-lowvoltage is thereupon completed from an intermediate tap 25,,of'the control resistor through conductor 26', actuating coil-27 of the line switch LS, conductor 28, .doorbperated interlocks 29 and 30in their closed positions, conductors 31*and 32,:and stationary and movable 00-,

operating contact members 57 and-62 respectively, of my auxiliary attachment 54, con tact whence :circuit is completed-to ground through the drum shaft 10." a

The switch LS is thusgactu ated toits uppe-r or'closedposition wherein a movable main-circuit-contact member 33 bridges stationary contact members 34 and35'to completethe motorcircuit, as will be understood.

The closure'oftheswitch LS also completes a holding circuit for the actuating coil thereof from the conductor 31 through" stationary contact members 36 and 37, which are bridged by an interlockingcontact' member'38 that is carried b the linev switch, in

accordance with afamihar construction, and thence through conductor 39 to ground.-

Thus, the switch is maintained in its closed position, lrrespective of subsequent movevment of thecontroller 49 beyond its initial operative position, whereby the engagement of the contact members of my auxiliary switching attachment is interrupted.

.In case it isdesired to insure the closure of certain train doors before the starting of the vehicle or vehicles, and to further insure the closure of all other doors before further operation of ;.the system is permitted, the

sl ightlyf modified arrangement of. circuits shown in Fig. 5 may be utilized. In this case, the door-operated interlock 29 represents all of the doors that it is desired to initially close, while the other interlock 30 corresponds to the'remaining train doors. The conductor 31, which leads through the auxiliary switching attachment 54 to ground, is connected intermediate the interlocks 29 and 30 instead of on the low-voltage side of both interlocks, as illustrated in Fig. 4.

Consequently, the switch LS will be closed by reason of the energization of its actuating coil 27, as soon as the door-operated interlock orinterlocks 29. occupy the illustrated closed position, and the car or train will thus be started into operation. However, when the controller 49 is actuated beyond its initial operative position a to thereby interrupt the engagement of the contact members of my auxiliary attachment 54, the line switch will not be maintained in its closed position unless the door-operated interlock or interlocks '30 have also assumed the closed posi-- tion, as shown, tothus complete the prev1-' ously-described holding circuit for the linesWitch actuating coil.

\Vithout further description, it will be understood that other modified arrangements of the door-operated inter'locksand the master-controller positions may be employed to meet various service requirements- It will be understood that only; a relatively hereof may be effected without departing.

from the spirit and-scope of my invention. I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed asare indicated inthe appended claims.

I claim asmy invention:

1. The combination with a control drum having a plurality of circumferentiallylocated contact segments, of an insulating end-cap for said drum, a contact-plate located within said cap, and a control finger yieldingly movablewith said drum to engage said contact-plate under predetermined conditions. 7

2. The combination with a control drum having a plurality of circumferentiallylocated contact segments, of an insulating end-cap for said drum having'an internal recess, a contact-plate located within said recess, and'a control finger resiliently mounted upon the drum end-surface within said be restricted to thespecific' recess to engagersaidcontact.plate under'predetermined conditions. y

3. The combination with a control drum having a plurality of circumferentiallylocated contact segments,,of an insulating end-cap for said drum having" an internal recess,. a plurality of. stop members projecting into said'rrecess, a contact plate corresponding. to the distance between certain stop members and located'within said recess,, a controlifinger ext'endingbetween said certain stop members, and means for permitting yielding: rotative movement of: said finger after engagingthe oneor the other of said certain'stop members. 7

4. The combination withv arcontrol drum provided with ashaftand with a plurality of circumferentially-located contact. seg-, ments, of an detachable:v insulating end'cap for said: drum having anlinternal recess, a contact plate corresponding to a predetermined drumtravel located Within said recess, a plurality of pin members spaced apart a distance corresponding to said contact plate, a control finger rotatable with said shaft and'extending between said pin members, and means for permitting yielding. rotative movement of said finger after. engagingone of said pin members to maintain engagement with said contactiplate and to maintain said finger and plate disengaged after the finger strikes the other pin member.

.5. The combination with a control drum, of an insulating end-capfor said drum, a contact plate carried by said end-cap, and a control finger resiliently mounted upon the drum end surface to engage said contact plate under predetermined conditions.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this'27th day of Nov.-

HQWARD'H; JOHNSTON.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,381,312, granted June 14, 1921, upon the application of Howard H. Johnston, of Edgewood Park, Pennsyl- Vania, for en improvement in Control Apparatus, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 46, after the word line insert the word switch; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of August, A. 1)., 1921.

[SEAL] KARL FENNING,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. Cl. 20011.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,381,312, granted June 14, 1921, upon the application of Howard H. Johnston, of Edgewood Park, Pennsylvania, for an improvement in Control Apparatus, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 46, after the Word line insert the Word switch; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of August, A. ll, 1921.

[SEAL] KARL FENNING,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. Cl. 20011. 

